Trends, Changes, Thoughts on 2013

But don't give it forever, in this frenetic Internet world. It's not 1970, when cheques trumped credit cards and banks gave you a month's leeway if you inadvertently penned the previous year on your payment.

The world moves much faster in 2013, which leads me to wonder what changes the coming year will present the wine world.

In Vancouver, the annual wine festival has a new name, and a new charity. The 35th Vancouver International Wine Festival, sans The Playhouse, will benefit the Bard on the Beach. Let's hope Mr. Gaze and company embrace the festival , otherwise it could be Much Ado About Nothing.

B.C. wineries can now legally ship wine to Manitoba and Nova Scotia thanks to reciprocal provincial legislation. So far the rest of Canada remains steadfastly opposed to opening up their imaginary borders to direct winery shipments. It's no secret B.C. producers need access to a bigger Canadian market if they are to remain competitive with import wines that continue to find their way into the country at amazingly low prices. When will the walls fall?

Terroir and somewhereness is still a passion among serious wine nuts, but I'm not betting B.C. producers will add any new sub-appellations in 2013. Most producers feel it's difficult enough to get the world to recognize the Okanagan Valley without chopping it up into small pieces. You can't win them all, I guess. There may not be any approved boundaries, but 2013 will be the year of the winery association. Expect some major marketing and jostling between unapproved sub-regions as "Okanagan Valley" producers fight to differentiate themselves from each other (without any regulations) from Kelowna to Summerland, Naramata to Okanagan Falls, Oliver to Osoyoos and the Similkameen.

From Whoop Whoop to Jam Jar Sweet , red and white wine with residual sugar appears to be taking over the entire entry-level wine market, causing me to wonder whether the industry is going to turn out a whole new generation of diabetics. Today's biggest market share is being fought with sugar, not appellations. Finding high-quality, inexpensive, New World dry wine will continue be a challenge in 2013.

Wine writers are thought to be a dying breed, especially those with audacity to critically assess bottles using a scorecard. I'm told the next generation prefers to get its information from social media or their neighbours. With all respect to my neighbours, good luck with that.

In 2013 restaurant wine lists will continue to shrink thanks to the economy and, just maybe, common sense, which says we do not need 300 different selections for dinner. What's in for 2013? More Pinot Noir and more Cabernet Franc. The Rhone Valley will also continue to over-deliver, especially when it comes to red wine from the southern areas. But there will be greater interest in Rhone whites mixing roussanne, marsanne, clairette, Viognier and white Grenache. Even further south in the Languedoc, red blends stretching all the way to Spanish border will continue to attract attention for the quality and value.

Organic, biodynamic, natural and accredited sustainable wines will continue to attract consumers, while cool-climate Chardonnay will continue its comeback with Chile, Sonoma, Ontario and Adelaide Hills chasing some amazing Chablis and White Burgundy .

What's out? Super premium wines, yellow wines; overproduced Kiwi Sauvignon Blanc; the 'signature' grape adulation for pinotage, zinfandel and Carmenère; most of Bordeaux and most table wine boasting 15+ degrees of alcohol or more.

Let the fun begin.

Cline Zinfandel 2010, California

Price $15 | Score 85/100

UPC: 009336957000181

Peppery, tobacco leaf, licorice root, cedar, resin, plum and herbal aromas. Round, fresh, warm and slightly sweet palate with light tannins. Black plum, chocolate, peppery, tobacco leaf, leather, meaty, resin flavours with a pruny finish. Simple stuff.

Three Winds Syrah 2011, Vin de Pays d'Oc, Languedoc, South of France, France

Price $14 | Score 86/100

UPC: 3760143270353

Typically smoky, meaty, licorice nose with leather, barnyard aromas. The attack is dry and supple with fresh acidity and more smoky, gamy black cherry flavours with a pinch of dried herbs. Try this with lamb chops or lamb osso buco.

Monte Nobile Nero d'Avola 2010, Sicily, Italy

Price $15 | Score 86/100

UPC: 858828001842

This simple Italian red is both dry and fresh with meaty, cherry, licorice and dried floral aromas. The palate is similar if slightly astringent with cherry, prune, coffee and tobacco flavours with a bit of chocolate in the finish. There is good fruit and concentration. Good value in a spaghetti red.

The Show Malbec 2011, Mendoza, Argentina

Price $19 | Score 87/100

UPC: 00894509060012

Charles Bieler, Roger Scommegna and Joel Gott are the 3 Thieves Wine Company and The Show Malbec is a blend of high-altitude fruit from Luan de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. The '09 is a touch better than last year with ripe sweet fruit, all aged in soft sweet American oak. There is a bit of a savoury element that saves it from being too sweet. Serve this with grilled ribs or steaks to best effect.

Las Perdices Cabernet Sauvignon 2010, Mendoza, Argentina

Price $17 | Score 87/100

UPC: 878434000022

Peppery, cassis, rooty, licorice, compost, vanilla, coffee, black olive aromas. Fresh, juicy, round, supple palate with savoury, peppery, black olive, cassis, blackberry, tobacco leaf and leather flavours with a coffee, warm prune finish. A bit hot and ripe but with fine overall balance. Try this with grilled meats, meat pasta dishes and soft cheeses. Good value.

Xanadu Next of Kin Shiraz 2010, Margaret River, Western Australia

Price $15 | Score 85/100

UPC: 009336957000181

Peppery, tobacco leaf, licorice root, cedar, resin, plum and herbal aromas. Round, fresh, warm and slightly sweet palate with light tannins. Black plum, chocolate, peppery, tobacco leaf, leather, meaty, resin flavours with a pruny finish. Simple stuff.